Al’s tip to Hustler owners for the Blacks A Fake on Saturday night - just enjoy the ride
By Barry Lichter • 11 December 2020
Trainer Al Barnes has one good piece of advice for the Kiwi owners of Northview Hustler - just sit back and enjoy watching him go round in Queensland’s biggest race of the year.
The field for Saturday night’s Group I A$175,000 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park is so strong and Lincoln Farms’ little hero has drawn so badly that Barnes says it’s hard to see him finishing in the top six.
The enormity of the Hustler’s task is reflected in the odds Superbet will give you - $151 to win and $17 for a place - whereas they have former Lincoln Farms’ pacer King Of Swing a red hot $1.50 favourite.
This text from Carl Officer, whose Waikato Four Legs syndicate has a share in Northview Hustler, shows he is certainly enjoying the ride.“King Of Swing and a few of the others will be too good for us but the owners should just be happy to be involved for the second year on end.”
The Hustler’s chances evaporated at the barrier draw function earlier in the week when stand-in driver Brendan Barnes didn’t even get the chance to choose his spot on the gate - the Hustler’s name was last out of the hat and he was left with gate six.
“There’ll be a lot of speed inside him so he’ll have to go back and find a possie and follow them round.
“We just have to hope they go hard to make it a staying test so he can run on.”
The Blacks A Fake is run at 2680 metres, a longer trip that Barnes says Hustler will appreciate.
“But it will be very hard coming from last when they’re going such fast times up front.”
Barnes was happy with the Hustler’s final lead-up run last Saturday night when he was snowed away three deep on the pegs from a second row draw and sprinted home late for seventh, 8.7 metres from the winner Cruz.
His closing sectionals were right on a par with those of his most recent efforts, 55.19 and 26.88, fractionally faster than the times clocked by the winner.
“He’s had a good week and he’s fit and rearing to go.”
Northview Hustler (green silks) makes good ground up the inner behind Cruz, Colt Thirty One and One Change in the Queensland Cup last Saturday night.With regular driver Hayden Barnes away on holiday, the reins go to his brother Brendan who knows the horse well and has driven him to win previously at Albion Park.
King Of Swing, who was sold by Lincoln Farms for big money after winning the Breeders’ Crown at two, has gone on to win $1.5 million and is the reigning Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup winner.
His two lead-up wins in Group III races at Menangle were terrific, both times coming off the outside of the gate, winning a mile in 1:49.6 and clocking a mile rate of 1:53.5 for 2300 metres.
His clash with Colt Thirty One ($8.50) will be intriguing with the local hero definitely at a disadvantage after drawing three on the second line.
A full preview and live coverage of the race will be shown on the mainstream Channel Seven network starting at 8.30pm local time with the start time at 9.12pm.
Earlier, Barnes is expecting Larry Lincoln to be right in the fight again after drawing gate three in the fifth race.
“It’s a strong race but Larry is up to them. He’s going well, he’s going to be handy from a good draw and he loves a mile. He’s a good each way chance.”
Larry Lincoln bounced back to his best last week when pipped half a neck by former Kiwi Oaxacan Dream, after sitting three back on the outer and unleashing his now trademark late sprint.
Northview Hustler races at 12.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Larry Lincoln races at 10.35pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
